Trinidad & Tobago’s Nicholas Paul took the 2026 PanAmerican men’s keirin title in Santiago, beating Kevin Quintero at the line to avenge his defeat last year in Asuncion.

Paul had looked in good form all day. He comfortably claimed the second place he needed to progress in round one, then won his semi-final in convincing fashion, several lengths ahead of the bunch.

In the final, Paul was drawn fifth in line behind the pacer, and seemed content to await his opportunity. Ahead of him, Njisane Phillip, Nick Wammes and Kevin Quintero were all constantly looking over their shoulders, wary of the threat from behind.

He began winding up his big gear once again with two laps remaining – pulling alongside his countryman as the bell rang, and taking the lead out of corner two. Quintero followed in his wake, and the pair claimed the sprinters’ line in the final bend, dropping in ahead of Phillip.

Paul took it by half a wheel at the line, with Wammes a couple of bike-lengths back in third, as Phillip faded.

In the minor final, João Vitor Da Silva attacked from the very back of the line as the pacer exited, quickly opening up a huge gap. Cristian Ortega, the most obvious absentee from the main event, led the charge to catch him – and held on for the consolation victory, barely a wheel ahead of Edgar Verdugo.